Slash, which is discarded small, rotten, mis-shappen or otherwise undesirable wood discarded during logging, historically has provided the fuel for huge devestating fires such as the fires in Michigan in the 19th century.

The aftermath of a forest fire can be as disastrous if not more so than the actual fire itself. A particularly destructive fire will burn away all of the plants and trees which prevented erosion. If heavy rains occur after such a fire, landslides, ash-flows and flash floods are to be expected. Not only will this result in severe property damage for those living in the immediate burn area, but it will also severely affect the quality of the local water supply.